Jefferson Finis Davis
- Born:
- June 3, 1808, Fairview, Kentucky, USA
- Died:
- December 6, 1889, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
- Nationality:
- American
- Profession(s):
- Politician, Military Officer, U.S. Representative and Senator, President of the Confederate States of America
Early Life and Education
- Born to Samuel Emory Davis and Jane Cook Davis.
- Attended Transylvania University and later graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1828.
- Served in the United States Army for seven years, participating in the Black Hawk War.
Career and Major Achievements
- Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1845, representing Mississippi.
- Served as a colonel in the Mexican-American War (1846-1848), distinguishing himself in battle.
- Served as a U.S. Senator from Mississippi (1847-1851 and 1857-1861).
- Appointed as Secretary of War under President Franklin Pierce (1853-1857).
- Elected as President of the Confederate States of America in 1861, serving until the Confederacy's defeat in 1865. The complexities of tracing a 'jefferson davis biography civil war timeline' highlight this crucial period.
- Imprisoned at Fort Monroe for two years after the Civil War.
Notable Works
- The Rise and Fall of the Confederate Government (1881), a two-volume defense of the Confederacy.
- Various speeches and addresses during his political and military career.
Legacy and Impact
Jefferson Davis remains a controversial figure in American history. He is primarily remembered as the President of the Confederate States of America and for his role in the secession crisis that led to the Civil War. His actions and beliefs continue to be debated and analyzed in discussions about race, states' rights, and the legacy of the Confederacy.